Ranthambore National Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Ranthambhore National Park
iucn_category = II
location = Sawai Madhopur, India
nearest_city = Jaipur
lat_degrees = 26
lat_minutes = 3
lat_seconds = 0
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 76
long_minutes = 26
long_seconds = 7
long_direction = E
area = 392 km²
established = 1980
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body =

Ranthambhore National Park is one of the largest and most famous national parks in northern India. It is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 130 km from Jaipur, which is also the nearest airport. The nearest town and railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, about 11 km away.

Ranthambhore was established as the "Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary" in 1955 by the Government of India, and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973. Ranthambore became a national park in 1980. In 1984, the adjacent forests were declared the "Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary", and in 1991 the tiger reserve was enlarged to include Sawai Man Singh and Keladevi sanctuaries.

The park lies at the edge of a plateau, and is bounded to the north by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River. There are several lakes in the park. It is named for the historic Ranthambore fortress, which lies within the national park. The park covers an area of 392 km², and is famous for its tiger population, and is one of India's Project Tiger reserves. Other major wild animals include the tiger, leopard, nilgai, dhole, wild pig, sambar and chital. It is also home to wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles. Ranthambore is also the site for one of the largest Banyan trees in India. [http://www.indianholiday.com/india-wildlife-holidays/ranthambore/flora-in-ranthambore.html]

Wildlife

Ranthambhore is most famous for its large tiger population. As tourism in the park increased, so did the population of neighboring villages. This lead to increasing amounts of fatal human-tiger interactions and poaching. The Indian Government started Project Tiger in 1972 with an allotted area of 60 m². It was later expanded to become what is now called, the Ranthambore National Park. Besides tigers, the reserve has thriving bird population with more than 270 different species of birds here. [http://www.indiatraveldestinations.com/wildlife-travel-in-india/ranthambore-national-park-travel.html]

In 2005, there were 26 tigers living in Ranthambhore. This was significantly lower than the recorded tiger population of the reserve in 1982, which then stood at 44. In 2008, more than 14 tiger cubs were recorded. This was largely attributed to sustained efforts by forest officials to curb poaching. Villagers in the region were being given incentives to stay out of the park and surveillance cameras were also fitted across the reserve. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1813980,00.html] The Indian government also committed US$153 million for the efforts. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1813980,00.html] These efforts have been successful with Ranthambore having enough tigers to participate in the Sariska Tiger Reserve relocation efforts. [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mate_for_Sariskas_male_tiger_flown_in_from_Ranthambore/articleshow/3199359.cms]

General info

Location map|India
label= Ranthambhore NP
position=right
background=
lat=26.0
long=76.49
float=right
width=200
*National Park area: 275 km² core area. 392 km² including buffer zone.
*Tiger Reserve area: 1334 km²
*Altitude: 215 to 505 meters above sea level
*Terrain: Dense tropical dry forest, open bushland and rocky terrain interspread with lakes and streams
*Ecoregion: Kathiarbar-Gir dry deciduous forests
*Best Season: between November to March
*Closed: Monsoon season

See also

Ranthambhore Fort

External links

* [http://projecttiger.nic.in/ranthambhore.htm Gov. India - Project Tiger] [http://projecttiger.nic.in/printableguide_RANTHAMBHORE.htm General Info]
* [http://envfor.nic.in/pt/status93/rantham.html Gov. India - Ministry of Environment & Forests (1993)]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/holiday/destinations/india_tigers/ BBC - Rajasthan Holiday]
* [http://www.familyvacationindia.com/family-wildlife-vacation/ranthambore-wildlife-sanctuary.html Ranthambore National Park Info]
* [http://www.dharssi.org.uk/travel/india/ranthambore.html Photos of Ranthambore]
* [http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Attractions/Wild-Life/Ranthambhor.aspx Rajasthantourism.gov.in]
* [http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/India/Ranthambore/index.html Photographers visit to the park, including a tiger sighting]
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